Anatomical articulator



`1an. 19, 1932. H HALVORSEN 1,841,728

ANATOMICAL ARTICULATOR Filed Sept. 25, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l `1an. 19, 19.32. s. H HALVORSEN 1,841,728

ANAToMIcAL ARTICULATOR Filed Sept. 25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 sa 67 I Jan. 19, 1932. S H, HALVORSEN 1,841,728

ANATOMI CAL ARTI GULAT OR Filed Sept. 25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. @yf/@MM /f/m messy ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 19, 19.32

SHERMAN H. HALVOIRSEN, F SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA ANATOMICAL ARTICULATOR Application led September 25, 1929. Serial No. 395,02.

My invention relates to anatomical articulators, and the objects of my invention are: First, to provide a device of this class which readily receives a set of false teeth and grinds i them until more perfect articulation is obtained; second, to provide a device of this class in which ,upper and lower sets oi' false teeth of any style or size may be readily and quickly inserted, positioned relative to each 1o other, or removed; third, to provide a device of this class which, after the sets of teeth have been positioned and arranged in the relation they normallyy assume when the mouth is closed, and secured to the said device, may be manipula-ted so that the sets of teeth shift relative to each other and duplicateV the movements they undergo when in i the mouth; fourtlnto provide a device of this yclass which, after once being adjusted for the particular set of teeth, permit removal and replacement or' said set of teeth with very little adjustment; fifth, to provide a device or" this class which eliminates the need of cement, plaster oi' Paris, or the like, for holding sets of false teeth in certain relation to the articulator, therebyv greatly facilitating` the operation of grinding a pair of false teeth sets into proper articulation, sixth, to provide a novelly constructed clamp for rsecuringfalse teeth; and seventh, to provide on a whole a novelly constructed anatomical articulator, which is simple of construction proportional to its functions, easily adjusted and manipulated, compact, 'sturdy of construction, durable, Aetticient in its action, vand which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists ot certain novelfeatures of const-ruction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying,` drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure i is a frontelevational view of my articulator shown in its open posi-tion, with an upper and a lower set of false teeth shown V n in relation thereto and fragmentarily; F ig. 2

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s a side elevational view oi' myarticulator shown in its closed position, with sets of false teeth shown in relation thereto Fig. 3 is atop or plan view of my articulator shown 1n its open position, and with sets of false teeth secured thereto and shown fragmentarily; F ig. i is a sectional view of my articulator taken through 4 4 of F ig. l, with parts and portions shown in elevation tc facilitate the illustration; Fio'. 5 is airagmentary sectional view through 5-5 of Fig. 3, with parts and portions shown in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 isa slightly enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the inside clamping members and their supports, with adjacent portions shown fragmentarily and parts and portions brolren away and in section to facilitate the illustration; F ig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through 8-8 of Fig. 7 and F ig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through 9-9 or' Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar part-s and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

Base member i, guide pins 2, sliding table 3, table shifting screw el, leg' members 5, cushions G, retainer bloclr 7, inner clamp bars 8, outer clamp bars 9, screw members l0, joui'- nal pins ll, oscillatingarms l2, springs 13, pins 14, cross rod l5, binding' post 16, bindingpost clamp screw 17, rod 18, socket means 19, clamp screw 20, secured support plate 2l, guide pins 22, sliding support plate 23, shifting screw 241, clamp arms 25, rear clamp lever 26, pin 27, wedge member 9.8, arm members 29., set screws 30, arm members 3l, and set screws 32, consti-tute the principal parts and port-'ions of my anatomical articulator.

A base member l is provided which is relatively broad and flat. Pins 2 extend horizontally from the forward end of thebase meinber l and lit in sockets 3a or" a sliding; table 3. The upper and lower surfaces of the sliding,` table 3 aresubstantially flush with the cor-responding' surfaces of the base member l.

lCentered between the pins 2, extending through the sliding table 3 and int-o the-hase member l, is a tableshifting screw 4,- which has a knurled head 4c at its forward end so that the screw may be turned by hand and Shift the table inwardly and nit\\'*ardly relative to the base member 1.

The sliding table Il and base member 1 are each provided with a pair of downwardly extending leg members 5, which are capped with cushions 6 made of rubber or the like.

Positioned in centered relation over the shifting screw 4 and directly forward over the table 3, is a bracket member 1a, which forms a part of the base member 1. Positioned between the oyerhanging portion ot the bracket la and the upper side of the table 3, is a retainer block 7. Said retainer block is held relative to the bracket 1a by means of a screw 7a, which extends through a slot 1b positioned transversely relative to the bracket la, as shown best in Figs. 3, 4, and 7.

The retainer block 7 is substantially triangular, with its apex pointing forward. The two forward sides joining the apex of the retainer block are provided with horizontally extending ear portions 7b, which are spaced apart from the upper surface of the table 3. Each of the car portions 7b receives thereunder an inner clamp bar 8. Each inner clamp bar 8 is held in limited shiftable relation to the ear portions 77) by means of a projeetion 7c, which depends from the corresponding ear portion and extends into a longitudinally extending channel 8a provided in the upper side of the corresponding clamp bar 8. This structure is shown best in Fig. 7.

The ends 8b and 8c of each inner clamp bar 8 are upt-urned and enlarged at the sides of their extremities facing away from the retainer block. Suitable padding 8d is rovded on these enlarged portions 8b an 8c. The retainer block is capa-ble of limited sidewise movement by reason of the slot 1b. The inner clamp bars may be shifted forwardly and rearwardly as well as rota-ted slightly by reason of the projections To and channels 8c,

. as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3.

Positioned outwardly and forwardly of each inner clamp bar 8 is an outer clamp bar 9, which is secured in rotatable relation to the table 3 by a. screw member 10 extending through said outer clamp bar near the forward end thereof, as shown best in Fig. 3. The ends 9a of each outer clamp bar 9 are upturned, then bent inwardly toward the inner clamp bars 8. The extended endsI of these upturned portions 9a receive pad niembers 9b. Y

At the rear outer corners of the base member 1, there are provided two upwardly extending post members 1c. At the upper end of each post on the inner side thereof, there is rotatably secured thereto, by means of a journal pin 11, an oscillating arm 12, Extending forwardly from the inner side of each oscillating arm12 is a handle portion 12a, which is bent intermediate its ends so that the extended portieri overlaps the forward side of the corresponding post 1c.

A lug 1d extends inwardly from the forward side of each post 1c so as to engage the forward side of the corresponding oscillating arm 12 when said oscillating arm is moved into its forward position.

A spring 13 is supported adjacent each post 10 at the inner side thereof by means of a pin 14 secured to said post. The one end of each spring 13 engages the rear side of the corresponding oscilla-ting arm 12 and yieldably holds it against a lug 1d. The other end of each spring is anchored in the base member i.

Rea-rward movement of the handles 12a causes the oscillating arms 12 to rotate against the action of the springs 13 until stopped by the overhanging portions ot the handles 12a engaging the lugs 1d, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 5.

The depending portion of each oscillating arm 12 is provided with a socket- 12b therein, which opens inwardly. Supported by its ends, between the two sockets 12b is a cross rod 15. ySecured to the cross rod 15, in centered relation thereto is a binding postV 16, which extends at right angles to the cross rod. Except for its secured portion, the binding post 16 is split, as indicated by 16a. An opening 1Gb is )rovided near the extended end of the binding post. Said opening 1Gb is centered relative to the bifurcated portions of the binding post and is adapted to receive a rod 18 which extends at right angles to both the binding post and the cross rod 15. A clamp screw 17 is adapted to draw the ends of the bifurcated portions of the binding post together so as to clamp the rod 18.

The forwardly or upwardly extending end of the rod 18, depending upon its position, is

provided with a ball portion 18a which tits inside of a socket 19, the one half of which is integral with a support plate 21. The other half 19aof said socket is adapted to be drawn toward the first mentioned half of the socket by means of a. clamp screw 20 so as to clamp the ball portion 18a in any desired position relative to the socket member 19.

The plate 21 is relatively flat, and has projecting -from its rear edge, that is the edge facing the binding post 16, a pair of spaced apart guide pins 22 which fit in sockets formed in a sliding support plato 23, which is similar in shape to the plate 22. The sliding plate 23 is adapted to be shifted rela tive to the plate 21 by means of a shiftingr screw 24, similar to the shifting screw 4, which extends through the stationary or supported plate 21 and into the sliding plato 23.

A suitable knurled head 24a is provided on the forward end of the shifting screw 24 so that said screw may be operated by hand. At the forward portion of the plate 21 at the opposite side thereof from the socket inembers 19, are a pair of clamp arms 25, the extended ends of which are turned rearwardly and are provided with pads 25o. The bent or horizontally extending portions of lthe arms 25 extend towards the common center so that the extended end surfaces of said portions may readily engage the curved outer su rface ot' the upper set of false teeth.

VFoi-med integral with the sliding plate 23, on the same side as the arms 25., is a block portion 23o. A rear clamp iev-'er 26 is piv Oted intermediate its end on the block portion by means of a pin 27. The extended ends ofthe clamp. lever 26 are upturned and provided with pads 26o, the forward surfaces of which are adapted to engage the rear edge of au upper setotl false teeth. The blockl portion 23a is provided with an opening 23?), therethrough which extends longitudinally with 'the plate members 21 and 23. Slidably mountedin this opening by its one end is a wedge member 28, the one surface of which rides upon the surface of the plate 23, and the other surface of which is inclined relative to said plate 23. The sloping or wedge surface 28u01? the wedge member 2 8 is positioned between the cross arms 25 and cla-nip lever 26 so as to engage the root ofthe upper set ot false teeth. The wedge member 23 is slidable relative to the supporting plate 23 so that the roof of the upper set of false teeth may be properly spacedaway from platesy 2:1 and 23 by shiftingthe wedge member 28 forwardly or rearwardly.

VlPivotally secured to the plate 21. on the side thereoiE having the arms 25,V which is the lower side of said plate. are a pair of y arm members 29. These arm. members are pivotally secured at their one ends, adjacent the rear edge of said lower side and extend orwardlv so as to register with openings 21a provided in the plate 2l. A set screw 30 is screwablv mounted in the extended end oit each arm member 29 in transverse relation to the plate 21.` The one end portion of each screw 3() is provided with a suitable head 30a which is adapted to engage the Irum fittingchannel of the upper set otteeth. Adjust nient ot the set screws 30 facilitates inthe proper spacing ot the upper set oftalse teeth relative to the plate 21..

In the Ushaped space formed between the pairs of inner clamp bars 8 and the corre sponding pairs ot' outer clampbars 9, the sliding table 3 is provided with recess portions 3a., one pair located near the rear end of said sliding` table approximately between the corresponding rearends of the clamp barsS and 9', and the other pair ot recesses 3?) located near the forward side of the sliding.r table approximately between the forward ends ot the corresponding clamp bars 8 and as shown best in Fig. 3.

Within eachv recess portion 3b, there is pivotally mounted at its one end, by means oit a pin 31a, an arm member 31, the upper surface of which is flush with the upper surface of the sliding` table 3, as shown best in Fig. 9.

An arcuate slot- 30, having the center of its l The operation of my anatomical articulator is as follows:

. Previous to grinding the teeth, wax or the like has been placed thereon, ther7 have been inserted in the patients mouth, and the patient has bitten down making an impression in the wax. The lower set of false teeth is placed between the clamp bars 8 and 9 with the n'iolar teeth at the rear, as shown best inl l, 2, and 3. The inner clamp bars are thenV shifted until the pads 8d thereof engage the inside walls ot' the lower set of teeth. Then the screw il is turned, shitting the table and clamp bars 9 until the padded portion 9b of said bars engages the outside walls of said lower set ot teeth, shown best in Fig'. 3. The upper set of teeth is then positioned between the clamp arms 25 and the clamp lever 26 and the plates 2l and 23, by means of the arm 18, and the ball and socket joint connecting said arm with the A,

plate 2l is shifted until the upper and lower sets of teeth register withthe wax impressions previously made. rlhe clamp screws 1T and20 are tightened; the wax is then re moved and'suitable grinding compound is spreadover the teeth. i

,First one and then the other ot the oscillat-,ing arms l2 is moved, (the ends of the rods l5 fitting with suiiic-ient looseness in the socket l2?) topermitthis movement) causing u the upper set ot teeth to shift relative to the lower set ot' teeth with a relative movement similar to the movement obtained when the teeth are in the patients mouth. Thus, high spots may be readily ground down, and af more perfect bite may be obtained.

Usually the set screws 30 and 32 need not be used. 1When it is desirable to usethem, the set screws 32 are turned until theyv engage the deep portion ot the channel 'formed in the lower set of false teeth A, which is adaped to lit over the gums. When the lower setioi false teeth. has been properly positioned, the set screws 30 may be adjusted sor as to move the upper set of false teeth intoV proper relation thereto.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement otl parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construe tion, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of myinvention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set torth in the appended claims.

I'Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an articulator lfor false teeth, av first clamp mechanism comprising a set of shiftahle clamp hars arranged to engage portions of the inside margins ot a lower set of false teeth, a second set of shiftahle clamping bars movable relative to said first set of clamping hars arranged to engage portions of the outside margins of said lower set of false teeth, the clamp bars of both sets being pivotahle about axes intermediate their respective ends and a shifting screw for causing said sets of clamping bars to engage and hold said lower Set of false teeth, a second clamp mechanism comprising a clamp member arranged to engage the rear margins of an upper set of false teeth, said clamp member being pivotable about an axis intermediate its ends and other clamp members arranged to engage the forward margins of said upper set, and a shifting screw for causing said clamp members to engage and hold the upper set of false teeth, and means for setting said second clamp mechanism relative to said first clamp mechanism so that the teeth of said upper and lower` sets mesh.

2. In an articulator for false teeth, a clamping mechanism comprising a base portion and a table portion, a setof clamping bars shiftably connected with said base portion and arranged to engage the inside margins of a lower set of false teeth at several points, a second set of shiftable clamp bars mounted on saidtable portion arranged to engage the outer margins of said lower set of false teeth at. several points, and means for shifting said table portion relative to said hase portion so as to cause said clamping bars to hold said lower set of false teeth.

3. In an articulator for false teeth, a first clamping mechanism comprising a base portion and a table portion, a setof clamping bars shiftably connected with said base portion and arranged to engage the inside margins of a lower set o'f false teeth atl several points, a second set of shiftable clamp bars mounted on said table portion arranged to engage the outer margins of saidvlower set of i'alse teeth at several points, means for shifting said table portion relative to said base portion so as to lanse said clamping hars to hold said lower set of Yfalse teeth, a second clamping mechanism arranged to releaf-ably secure an upper set of vfalse teeth, and means for setting said second clamp mechanism relative to said first clamp mechanism so that the teeth of said upper and lower sets mesh.

4. In an articulator for false teeth, a first clamping mechanism comprising a base portion and a table portion, a set of clamping barsshiftably connected with said base portion arl arranged to engage the inside margins o .1 lower set of false teeth at several points', a second set of shiftable clamp bars mounted on said table portion arranged to engage the outer margins of said lower set of false teeth at several points, means for shiftingsaidvtable portion relative to said base portion so as to cause said clamping bars to yhold saidk lower set of false teeth, a second clamping mechanism comprising a pair of plate members arranged to move to and from each other', a clamping lever rotatablyy supported intermediate its ends on one of said plate members Varranged to engage the rear side 'of an upper set of false teeth, clamping arms on the other of said plate members arranged to engage the forward side of Vsaid upper set of false teeth and a screw means for shifting said plate members lrelative to each other, and means for setting said second clamp mechanism rel ative to said rst clamp mechanism so that the teeth of said upper and lower sets mesh.

Inv an articulator for false teeth, a first clamping mechanism comprising a base portion and a table portion, a set of clamping bars shiftably connected with said base portion and arranged to engage the inside margins of aplower set' ot false teeth at several points, a second set` of shiftable clamp bars mounted on said table portion arranged to engage the outer margins of said lower set of false teeth at several points, means for shifting said table' portion Vrelative to said base portion so as to cause said clamping bars to hold said lower set of false teeth, a second clamping mechanism arranged to releasably secure an upper set of false teeth, spacing screws arranged to Vshift laterally with respectto their Vaxes associated with the slid` inrf'table of said first clamping mechanism arranged to' space said lower set of false teeth therefrom, spacing means arranged to shift laterally rwith respect to their axes associated with said second rclamping mechanism for spacing said upper set of talse teeth therefrom, and means for setting said second clamp mechanism relative toy said first clamping mechanism so that the teeth of said up` per and lowerY sets mesh.

6. In an articula-tor for false teeth, a first clamping mechanism comprising a base portion and a table portion, a set of clamping bars shitably connected with said base por tion and arranged to engage the inside margins of a lower set of false teeth at severalv points, asecond set ot shiftable clamp bars mounted on said table portion arranged to engage the outer margins of said lower set of false teeth at several points, means for shifting said'table portion relative to said hase portion so as vto cause said clamping bars loa 'loo

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to hold said lower' set of falseteeth, a second clamping mechanism comprising a pair of plate members arranged to move to and from each other, a clamping lever rotatably supported intermediate its ends on one of said plate members arranged to engage the rear side ot an upper set of false teeth, lclamping arms on the other of said plate members arranged to engage the forward side of said upper set of false teeth and a screw means for shifting said plate members relative to each other, spacing screws arranged to shift laterally with respect to their axes associated with the sliding table of said first clamping mechanism arranged to space said lower set of false teeth therefrom, spacing means arranged to shift laterally with respect to their axes associated with said second clamping mechanism for spacing said upper set of false teeth therefrom, and means for setting said second clamp mechanism relative to said first clamping mechanism so kthat the teeth of said upper and lower sets mesh.

7. ln an articulator for false teeth, a first clamping unit comprising a support, a laterally shiftable connecting member and a pair of clamping levers pivotally connected with said connecting member, and a second clamping unit comprising a. support means, and a pair of spaced apart clamping bars connected therewith, said clamping bars being pivotally mounted intermediate their ends, and means for shifting said clamping units toward and from each other whereby a set of false teeth may be clamped by said clamping levers and clamping bars.

8. In an articulator for false teeth, a base, a table, means for shifting said table toward and from said base, a plurality of clamping elements connected with said base, and a plurality of clamping units connected with said table, each of said clamping elements and clamping units being revolubly ymounted intermediate their respective ends each of said clamping elements and clamping units upon contacting with the walls of a set of teeth at more than one place being arranged to lock against further rotary movement.

9. In an articulator for false teeth, a clamping structure for an upper set of false teeth including a iixed support, a shiftable support, means for shifting said latter support towards and from said fixed support, fixed clamping units carried by said shiftable support, a clamping bar carried by said fixed support, said clamping bar being pivotable intermediate its ends, a spacer in the form of a slidable wedge carried by said fixed support, arm members rotatably supported by said shiftable support and spacing screws carried at the extended portions of said arm members.

l0. In an articulator for false teeth, a clamping structure for a lower set of false teeth including a base, a table, means for shiftings'aid'table toward and from said base, a plurality of clamping elements connected with said base,an d a plurality of clamping units connected with said table, each of said clamping elements and clamping units being revolubly vmounted intermediate their respective ends, each of said clamping elements Vand clamping units upon contacting with the walls of a set ofteeth at more thanl one place beingarranged to lock against further rotary movement, a clamping structure for an upper set of false teeth including a fixed support, :i shift-able support, means for shifting said latter support toward and from said fixed support, fixed clamping units carried by said shiftable support, a clamping bar carried by said fixed support, said clamping bar being pivotable intermediate its ends, a spacer in the form of a slidable wedge carried by said fixed support, arm members rotatably supported by said shiftable support, spacing screws carried at the extended portions of said arm members and frame means for connecting said clamping structures whereby said set of teeth occupy an articulated relation.

ll. In an articulator for false teeth, a base, a table, means for shifting said table toward and from said base, a plurality of clamping elements connected with said base, and a plurality of clamping units connected with said table, each of said clamping elements and clamping units being revolubly mounted intermediate their respective ends, each of said clamping elements and clamping units upon contacting with the walls of a set of teeth at more than one place being arranged to lock against further rotary movement, arm members rotatably supported by said table, and

spacing screws arranged at the extended por- 1 tions of said arms, whereby said spacing screws are shiftable so as to engage the floor of' the gum enveloping portion of a set of false teeth supported by said clamping elements and clamping means.

12. In an articulator for false teeth, a clamping structure arranged to support a set of false teeth, a pair of uprights extending from said clamping structure, an arcuately shiftable arm depending from the upper l portion of each upright, a cross bar loosely connected with the depending portions of said arms and extending therebetween, the points of connection between said cross bar and said arms occupying, with respect to a set of teeth supported by said clamping structure, positions corresponding approximately to the. fulcrum points of the mandible of a human being, a post joined to said cross bar, a rod adjustably associated with said cross bar and arranged to extend over said clamping structure, and a clamping means depending from said rod arranged to support a second set of false teeth which are comple- 'mentary to said lirst set of false teeth, said arms being independently and simultaneously shiftable with respect to said uprights whereby said second set of false teeth may be shifted with respect to said first set of false teeth in a manner simulating their relativemovements in a humans mouth.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Diego, California, this 11th day of September, 1929.

SHERMAN H. HALVORSEN. 

